Ventilated cargo container

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container&#39;s contents. A cargo container typically comprises first and second side walls, an end wall, an entry wall defining a door, and a floor and ceiling. In one embodiment, the cargo container has a ventilation system defining first and second air-flow pathways along respective side walls and flowing from the floor to about the ceiling. 
     In a further embodiment, the container has a ventilation system defining a transverse air flow pathway through respective side walls and flowing between the floor and ceiling.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cargo containers are used for shipping various types of cargo by land on trailers, by sea on container ships, by rail on flat-bed train cars and even by air in cargo planes. Such versatile containers are commonly referred to as intermodal containers. To facilitate placement within standard container cells on-board ships and to comply with ISO standards, cargo containers of this type typically have a length of approximately twenty or forty feet (about 6.12 to 12.2 meters), a height of about nine and one-half feet (about 2.9 meters), and a width of about eight feet (about 2.44 meters).

The typical container comprises a rugged, box-like structure having a forward wall, a rear wall supporting a set of hinged doors, a pair of opposed side walls, a roof panel and a floor, thereby defining a cargo space within the box-like structure. The cargo is stacked within the cargo space, generally on pallets, disposed atop the floor of the container.

Due to their ruggedness and portability, the use of cargo containers as modular, portable shelters has become popular for housing data centers, growing or gardening operations and various other suits. When used for such purposes, proper ventilation is often required for the removal of heat that often accompanies the underlying uses.

Prior art ventilation systems for cargo containers have included passive (i.e., unpowered) ventilation systems, powered convection (i.e., fan-ventilated) systems, as well refrigerant cooled systems. However, various disadvantages are associated with each of these prior art systems. For example, passive ventilation systems often do not have the capacity to remove adequate amounts of heat from the container. This is especially true when the container is used as a data center housing heat-generating computer equipment, or as a grow operation housing heat-generating grow lights. Refrigerant systems, while sufficient to remove adequate amounts of heat, are typically overly complicated in design and are thus prohibitively costly. Powered, convection systems, while less complicated and costly than evaporative systems, are often inefficient or poorly designed in relation to the placement and location of data center or growing operation components within the container, and/or the removal of the excessive amounts of heat associated therewith.

Thus, what is needed is a simple and efficient ventilation system for a cargo container that is not cost prohibitive. Such a system should have the capacity to adequately remove the excessive amounts of heat generated by data centers and/or growing operations. The system should also be designed in relation to the placement and/or location of the components housed within the container. The present invention overcomes the forgoing disadvantages and provides other advantages as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents. A cargo container typically comprises first and second side walls, an end wall, an entry wall defining a door, and a floor and ceiling. In one embodiment, the cargo container has a ventilation system defining first and second air-flow pathways along respective side walls and flowing from the floor to about the ceiling.

The floor of the cargo container defines a plurality of through entry openings located proximal to each side wall. The side walls of the container further define a plurality of through exit openings located proximal to the ceiling. The entry and exit openings together define the respective first and second entries and first and second exits of the first and second air flow pathways of the ventilation system. A fan is located proximal to each entry opening for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container.

To facilitate adequate air flow through the floor entry openings, the container is elevated from the ground by a predetermined distance. A plurality of pedestals is thus associated with the container to elevate the container from the ground.

In another embodiment, the side walls of the cargo container define a plurality of through entry openings located proximal to the floor while the ceiling of the container further defines a plurality of through exit openings located proximal to the side walls. The entry and exit openings together define the respective first and second entries and first and second exits and of first and second air flow pathways of the ventilation system. A. fan is again located proximal to each entry opening for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container.

Pressurization of the container may be desirable to ensure a “clean-room” environment within the container's interior. Such environments, in utilizing pressurization, ensure that the air pressure inside the container exceeds that outside the container to prevent any undesirable contaminants (i.e., dust, rain etc.) from entering the container through leak holes or other unintended openings that may exist therein. In short, pressurization will ensure an outwardly flow of air through any hole or penetration of the container to deter entry of dust or other contaminants from outside. To achieve the foregoing pressurization, the container is configured to ensure that the cumulative area defined by the exit openings of the container is less than that defined by the container's entry openings. This configuration is achieved by providing fewer exit openings than entry openings of equal area; providing smaller exit openings than entry openings of equal number, or by providing a combination of each of the foregoing reductions. An evaporative system may be utilized to provide cooling in addition to the ventilation. Filters are optionally utilized in operable association with the entry openings.

In a further embodiment, the container has a ventilation system defining a transverse air flow pathway through respective side walls and flowing between the floor and ceiling. In this embodiment, one side wall of the cargo container defines a plurality of through entry openings while the opposing side wall defines a plurality of through exit openings. The entry and exit openings together define the entry and exit the transverse air flow pathway of the ventilation system. A fan is located proximal to each entry and exit opening for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container. The fans of the exit opening preferably have a higher elevation from the floor than the fans of the entry openings. The higher elevation of the exit opening fans thus accommodates the rising of the air of the transverse pathway as it is heated by the contents (i.e., data center computer components or growing center grow lights) of the container as it flows across such contents.

In the embodiment, a metal hood is preferably located above each of the entry openings to protect the openings from the elements of weather. A filtration system is optionally located beneath the hood to filter the air leading to the air entry opening.

Also in the foregoing embodiment, the ventilated cargo container further comprises a plurality of racks located about within the transverse air flow pathway, with the location of the racks defining first and second outer aisles within the container. Each rack of the plurality is configured to allow a free flow of air transversally through the rack itself such the air is directed through and/or about any contents placed on each rack. Computer components located on the racks may include one or more internal fans that force air via one or more a supplemental air flow pathways in the direction of the exit openings to contribute to the transverse air flow pathway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of one embodiment of the ventilated container;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of the floor of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation section view of the container of FIG. 1 with fans;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation section view of the container of FIG, I with fans;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of another embodiment of the ventilated container;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of the ceiling of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation section view of the container of FIG. 5 with arts;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front elevation view of an embodiment of the ventilated container having an evaporative system;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front elevation view of one embodiment of the ventilated container having an evaporative system with filters;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation section view of the container, evaporative system and filters of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front elevation view of another embodiment of the ventilated container having an evaporative system with filters

FIG. 12 illustrates a side elevation section view of the container, evaporative system and. filters of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a. side perspective view of the container having an alternate embodiment of the ventilation system;

FIG. 14 illustrates another side perspective view of the container of FIG, 13 and the racks located therein; and

FIG. 15 illustrates end view elevation container of FIG. 14 and the racks located therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates generally to cargo containers, and more particularly to cargo containers that are ventilated to remove any heat that is generated by the cargo container's contents. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cargo container 5 is shown comprising first and second side walls 10 and 15, an end wall 20, an entry wall 25 defining a door 30, and a floor 35 and ceiling 40. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the cargo container 5 has a ventilation system 45 defining first and second air-flow pathways 50 and 55 about along respective side walls 10 and 15 and flowing from the floor 35 to about the ceiling 40.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the floor of the cargo container defines a plurality of through entry openings 60 located proximal to each side wall 10 and 15. The side walls of the container further define a plurality of through exit openings 65 located proximal to the ceiling 40. The entry and exit openings 60 and 65 together define the respective first and second entries 70 and 75 and first and second exits 80 and 85 of the first and second air flow pathways 50 and 55 of the ventilation system 45. The plurality of entry openings 60 define a cumulative entry opening of the first and second pathway entries 70 and 75 of between about 5,000 square inches and about 15,000 square inches and the plurality of exit openings 65 define a cumulative exit opening of the first and second pathway exits 80 and 85 of between about 5,000 square inches and about 15,000 square inches.

The plurality of entry openings 60 preferably comprises 34 openings, with each entry opening defining an area of about 314.15 square inches. More preferably, each entry opening 60 is round and has a diameter of about 20 inches. A fan 90 is located proximal to each entry opening 60 for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each fan is located within the container, proximal to the floor, to draw air into the container from the outside. However, it is understood that each fan could also be located outside the container, beneath the floor, to push air into the container from the outside. It is further understood that the fans could also be located at the exit openings 65 of the container, either inside or outside the side walls 10 and 15, to draw the air through the exit openings from the entry openings 60 of the floor 13. Regardless of fan location, each fan 90 moves between about 1,500 cubic feet per minute of air and about 4,000 cubic feet per minute of air through each respective entry opening 60. Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the ventilation system 45 moves between about 50,000 and about 70,000 cubic feet per minute of from outside to inside the cargo container 5.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the container utilizing axial or propeller fans to move the air through the entry openings 60 of the container 5. Axial fans are typically utilized to move air in an environment that does not require pressurization (i.e., where pressurization of the container is not required). In the embodiment illustrated FIGS. 3 and 4, each axial fan 90 is located within the container 5, proximal to the floor 35, to draw air into the container from the outside. However, it is understood that each fan could also be located outside the container beneath the floor, to push air into the container from the outside. It is also understood that, while Lasko 20 inch high velocity fans are utilized, axial fans originating from other manufacturers could be utilized as well.

It is further understood that other type of fans could be utilized in place of axial fans as well. For example, centrifugal or “squirrel cage” fans can be located proximal to the floor to move air through the entry openings of the container. Centrifugal fan located inside the container would draw air through the entry openings while centrifugal fans located outside the container would push the air there-through. Because centrifugal fans produce more pressure for a given air volume than axial fans, centrifugal fans are typically utilized to move air in an environment that requires pressurization (i.e., where pressurization of the container is required), to be further discussed.

To facilitate adequate air flow through the floor entry openings 60, and space for embodiments having the fans mounted proximal to the floor outside of the container 5, the container is elevated from the ground by a distance of between about 10 inches and 20 inches, more preferably between about 12 inches and 18 inches, and optimally about 13 inches. A plurality of pedestals 95 is thus associated with the container 5 to elevate the container from the ground by the above-recited distances. Such pedestals preferably comprise concrete or steel columns, or any other rigid body capable of supporting the container. In a preferred embodiment, each pedestal 95 is located at a corner of the container. However, it is understood that such pedestals may be located elsewhere in relation to the container as well.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the plurality of exit openings 65 in the side walls 10 and 15 preferably comprise 12 openings in each wall (24 total), with each exit opening defining an area of about 484 square inches. More preferably, each exit opening 65 is square and has a height of about 22 inches and a width of about 22 inches. The exit openings 65 are preferably arranged in pairs along each side wall 10 and 15 such that each side wall defines 12 pairs of openings. A metal hood 100 is preferably located above each pair of exit openings 65 to protect the openings from the elements of weather. However, it is understood that louvers or other components understood as providing such protection may be utilized as well.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the side walls 10 and 15 of the cargo container 5 define a plurality of through entry openings 105 located proximal to the floor 35 while the ceiling 40 of the container further defines a plurality of through exit openings 110 located proximal to the side walls. The entry and exit openings 105 and 110 together define the respective first and second entries 115 and 120 and first and second exits 125 and 130 of first and second air flow pathways 135 and 140 of the ventilation system 45. The plurality of entry openings 105 define a cumulative entry opening of the first and second pathway entries 135 and 140 of between about 5,000 square inches and about 15,000 square inches and the plurality of exit openings 110 define a cumulative exit opening of the first and second pathway exits 125 and 130 of between about 5,000 square inches and about 15,000 square inches.

The plurality of entry openings 105 preferably comprises 34 openings, with each entry opening defining an area of about 314.15 square inches. More preferably, each entry opening 105 is round and has a diameter of about 20 inches. A fan 145 (FIG. 7) is again located proximal to each entry opening 105 for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG, 7, each fan is located within the container, proximal to a side wall, to draw air into the container from the outside. However, it is understood that each fan could also be located outside the container, proximal to aside wall, to push air into the container from the outside. It is further understood that the fans 145 could also be located at the exit openings 110 of the container, either inside or outside the ceiling 40, to draw the air through the exit openings from the entry openings 105 of the side walls 10 and 15. Regardless of fan location, each fan 145 moves between about 1,500 cubic feet per minute of air and about 4,000 cubic feet per minute of air through each respective entry opening 105. Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8, the ventilation system 45 moves between about 40,000 and about 70,000 cubic feet per minute of from outside to inside the cargo container 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the container utilizing centrifugal or squirrel cage fans to move the air through the entry openings 105 of the container 5. Centrifugal fans are typically utilized to move air in an environment that requires pressurization (i.e., where pressurization of the container is required), to be further discussed. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the centrifugal fans 145 are located within the container, proximal to the side wall 10 and 15, to draw air into the container from the outside. However, it is understood that each fan could also be located outside the container, again proximal to the side wall, to push air into the container from the outside.

It is further understood that other type of fans could be utilized in place of centrifugal fans as well. For example, axial or propeller fans can be located proximal to the floor to move air through the entry openings of the container. Axial fans located inside the container would draw air through the entry openings while axial fans located outside the container would push the air there-through. Because axial fans produce less pressure for a given air volume than centrifugal fans, axial fins are typically utilized to move air in an environment that does not require pressurization (i.e., where pressurization of the container is not required).

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of exit openings 110 in the ceiling 40 proximal to the side walls 10 and 15 preferably comprise 12 openings along each wall (24 total), with each exit opening defining an area of about 242 square inches. More preferably, each exit opening 110 is rectangular and has a length of about 22 inches and a width of about 11 inches. The exit openings 65 are preferably arranged in pairs along each side wall 10 and 15 such that each side wall defines 12 pairs of openings. A metal hood or louver (not shown) is preferably located above each pair of exit openings 110 to protect the openings from the elements of weather.

Pressurization of the container may be desirable to ensure a “clean-room” environment within the container's interior. Such environments, in utilizing pressurization, ensure that the air pressure inside the container exceeds that outside the container to prevent any undesirable contaminants (i.e., dust, rain etc.) from entering the container through leak holes or other unintended openings that may exist therein. In short, pressurization will ensure an outwardly flow of air through any hole or penetration of the container to deter entry of dust or other contaminants from outside. To achieve the foregoing pressurization, the container is configured to ensure that the cumulative area defined by the exit openings of the container is less than that defined by the container's entry openings. This configuration is achieved by providing fewer exit openings than entry openings of equal area; providing smaller exit openings than entry openings of equal number, or by providing a combination of each of ate foregoing reductions,

As illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 through 12, an evaporative system 150 is utilized to provide cooling in addition to the ventilation. The evaporative system 150 preferably comprises a misting pipe 155 located on each of the side walls 10 and 15, proximal to the entry openings 60 or 105. The misting pipe is in fluid communication with a pressurized water source (not shown) and defines a plurality of misting holes there-along. Under pressure from the pressurized water source, water vapor is emitted from the misting holes of the evaporative system 150 and thereafter drawn into the entry openings 60 or 105 of the ventilation system 45 and thereafter mixed with the air of the airflow pathways 50 and 55 or 135 and 140. An evaporation of the water vapor within the air flow pathways results in heat absorption therein and thus a cooling effect within the container 5.

Referring to FIGS, 9-12, filters 160 are optionally utilized in operable association with the entry openings 60 or 105, with the filters catching and localizing the water vapor received from the misting pipe 155. Air moved through the “wet” filters results in evaporation and thus heat absorption within the system. In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, the filters 160 are located respectively adjacent to the entry openings 60, preferably below and adjacent to the container's floor 35. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, the filters 160 are located between the ground and floor 35 of the container, in alignment with and below the walls 10 and 15. Regardless of the foregoing filter locations, the fans draw air through the “wet” filters to create the evaporative cooling effect within the container. Furthermore, it is understood that the filters could receive moisture from a drip or flow of water onto the filters as well.

The further embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 15 illustrate the container 5 having a ventilation system 45 defining a transverse air flow pathway 180 (FIGS. 14 and 15) through respective side walls 10 and 15 and flowing between the floor 35 and ceiling 40. In this embodiment, the side wall 10 of the cargo container defines a plurality of through entry openings 185 while the opposing side wall 15 defines a plurality of through exit openings 190. The entry and exit openings 185 and 190 together define the entry 195 and exit 200 the transverse air flow pathway 180 of the ventilation system 45. The entry and exit openings 185 and 190 thus define respective the cumulative entry 195 and exit 200 of the transverse pathway of about 9048 square inches each. A fan 205 is located proximal to each entry and exit opening 185 and 190 for moving air there-through from outside to inside the container 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15, each fan is located outside the container, proximal to the side walls 10 and 15, to draw air into the container from the outside. However, it is understood that each fan could also be located inside the container, proximal to the side walls as well.

Whether inside or outside the container 5, the fans 205 of the exit openings 190 preferably have a higher elevation from the floor than the fans of the entry openings 185. The higher elevation of the exit opening fans thus accommodates the rising of the air of the transverse pathway as it is heated by the contents (i.e., data center computer components or growing center grow lights) of the container as it flows across such contents. In the embodiments of FIGS. 13 through 15, the intake fan's axis is located about 36 inches above the floor while the exit fan's axis is located about 70 inches above the floor. It is understood, however, that the entry and exit fans have an equivalent elevation from the floor as well.

Regardless of fan location, each fan 205 moves preferably between about 5,000 cubic feet per minute of air and about 25,000 cubic feet per minute of air through each respective entry and exit opening. Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 15 preferably having five intake and five exhaust fans 205, the ventilation system 45 moves between about 25,000 and about 110,000 cubic feet per minute of from outside to inside the cargo container 5.

FIGS. 13 through 15 illustrate an embodiment of the container utilizing axial or propeller fans to move the air through the entry and exit openings 185 and 190 of the container 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, each axial fan 205 is located in the outer side walls 10 and 15 of the container 5 to draw air into the container from the outside. However, it is understood that other type of fans could be utilized in place of axial fans as well. For example, centrifugal or “squirrel cage” fans can be located in the walls to move air through the entry and exit openings of the container.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 through 15, a metal hood 210 is preferably located above each of the entry openings 185 to protect the openings from the elements of weather. The hood also ensures that the container's exhaust air exiting the side wall 15 does not cycle back into the air entries of side wall 10. However, it is understood that louvers or other components understood as providing such protection may be utilized as well.

A filtration system 215 (schematically illustrated in FIG. 14) is optionally located beneath the hood 205 to filter the air leading to the air entry opening 185 of the side wall 10. Sheet-form filtration media 220 is supported by a stand 225 of the system 215 to thus filter out dust, dirt and similar air-borne contaminants. About 50 feet/minute of air flows through the filter media towards the entry opening 185. The filter media is preferably comprised of cloth, and/or paper or any other air filter media understood in the art.

Also in the foregoing embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 15, the ventilated cargo container 5 further comprises a plurality of racks 230 (FIGS. 14 and 15) located about within the transverse air flow pathway 180, with the location of the racks defining first and second outer aisles 230 and 240 within the container. Each rack 230 of the plurality is configured to allow a free flow of air transversally through the rack itself such the air is directed through and/or about any contents placed on each rack. For example, if the cargo container is to be used as a portable data center, the transversally flowing air would be directed through and or about computer components placed on the racks to remove any heat generated therefrom. In another example, if the cargo container is to be used as a portable grow center, the transversally flowing air would be directed through and or about plants and grow lights placed on the racks to remove any heat generated from the lights.

It is noted that the placement of the racks 230 in FIGS. 13 through 15 preferably define first and second outer aisles 235 and 240 within the container 5 (FIGS. 14 and 15). These outer aisles thus facilitate ease of access to the racks 165 and their respective contents from the container's entry door 30 (not shown in FIGS. 13 through 15). The aisle also facilitates a differentiation of air temperatures flowing to and from the equipment located on the racks. Thus, the air temperature of the transverse pathway 180 located between the entry fans and equipment will be greater than the air temperature of the pathway located between the equipment and exit fans.

FIG. 15 illustrates computer components 245 located on the racks 230. Each component may include one or more internal fans that force air via one or more a supplemental air flow pathways 250 in the direction of the exit openings 190 to contribute to the transverse air flow pathway 180. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the components utilize between about 170 and about 800 internal fans to force from about 0 CFM to about 70,000 GEM if air towards the exit openings.

While this foregoing description and accompanying drawings are illustrative of the present invention, other variations in structure and method are possible without departing from the invention's spirit and scope. 

We claim:
 1. A ventilated cargo container comprising: first and second side walls, an end wall, an entry wall defining a door, a floor and a ceiling; the cargo container having a ventilation system defining an air-flow pathway about along each side wall and flowing from the floor to about the ceiling. 